DC Government

Today in Has the World Gone Mad? 2 year old issued littering citation in NE

By Prince Of Petworth

2 year old littering fine

Sometimes people overuse the expression ‘smdh’ or shake my damn head and sometimes you simply must shake your damn head. Like this one for example. This happened to a friend of mine:

“We received this notice of violation from DPW in the mail yesterday alleging that our 2 year old committed a littering violation because a piece of mail with her name on it was found on the ground in the alley. I called the DPW Inspector that issued the ticket today and explained that she had inadvertently issued a ticket to a two year old and she refused to rescind the ticket.”

Ed. Note: We have discussed this practice many times in the past but this is the first time we’ve had a 2 year old cited!

“I wanted to share my frustrations regarding this city’s amateurish and broken parking ticket adjudication process”

By Prince Of Petworth

pain sculpture

“Dear PoPville,

I wanted to share my frustrations regarding this city’s amateurish and broken parking ticket adjudication process, and also seek help from the community in resolving my problem. In particular, I want to highlight the lack of responsiveness by the “Ticket Adjudication Ombudsman,” the office ostensibly tasked with helping people who have already been ignored or frustrated by normal DMV channels.

To make a long story short, I successfully appealed a parking ticket I received in April 2015. I was ticketed and towed for parking in an “Emergency No Parking” zone, but had photographic evidence that the “No Parking” sign had not been put up 72 hours in advance, as required by law (in fact, the photographic evidence I was relying on was the very photo taken by the traffic enforcement officer, but that’s another story.)

I challenged the ticket twice to a hearing examiner, who summarily denied my motions without even acknowledging or addressing my defense. I then paid the ticket ($150) and filed a formal appeal, noting in my “brief” that the hearing examiner had ignored my defenses and photographic evidence. The appellate board sided with me and reversed the ticket; in the opinion, they specifically cited the fact that the hearing examiner had failed to even address my defenses and justify his/her decision, as required by law. The opinion said I should allow “8-10 weeks for a refund” of my ticket

Well, that was in early May, sixteen weeks ago. Two weeks ago, after still not receiving my refund, I wrote to the “Ticket Adjudication Ombudsman,” the outfit tasked with helping customers navigating the adjudication process and resolving customer complaints. Guess what? Even the Ombudsman hasn’t responded to me or even acknowledged my complaint.

How have others in my situation (there have to be others) dealt with this problem? Why is this city incapable of providing basic customer service to its residents?”

Side note: The following press release was issued by the DMV yesterday:

Due to a power outage in its vendor’s New York office, the District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles’ (DC DMV) ticket payment system is currently not in operation.

At this time, DC DMV is unable to process ticket payments, research tickets, or access tickets. The agency is unable at this time to adjudicate any tickets that have been submitted by mail or online. (more…)

“911 outage lasted a little more than 90 minutes last night. No evidence of outside hacking.”

By Prince Of Petworth

911 out
Photo by PoPville flickr user John Sonderman

Just after 12:30am this alarming tweet was sent:

From a briefing this morning:

Updates when the full press release is issued.

“Mayor Bowser Names Peter Newsham as Interim Police Chief”

By Prince Of Petworth

newsham
via MPD Bio

From the Mayor’s Office:

“Today, Mayor Bowser announces that a longtime deputy to Metropolitan Police Department Chief Cathy Lanier, Peter Newsham, will fill the position she is vacating on an interim basis effective September 17, 2016. Mr. Newsham joined MPD in 1989 and has served as Assistant Chief of Police since 2002. (more…)

“DDOT Announces Proposed Rulemaking to Revise the Residential Permit Parking (RPP) Program”

By Prince Of Petworth

dc_visitor_parking_passes

From DDOT:

“The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is seeking comments on a proposed rulemaking which would establish a process for neighborhoods to modify or expand residential permit parking restrictions. In an effort to address concerns from neighborhoods that are experiencing parking pressures from surrounding activity centers DDOT is proposing to establish clear criteria for the modification of RPP parking and for creating resident-only parking on established RPP blocks. In addition, the proposed rules would clarify and update a number of current parking and parking related regulations.

The proposed rules may be reviewed and comments submitted here.

Although the published rules indicate the time for submitting written comments will close in thirty days, DDOT has officially extended the comment period to a full 60 days (more…)

More Street Lights Out in Mount Pleasant

By Prince Of Petworth

street lamps out

A reader passes on an update from August 11th’s report, as was the case then, I’m not attaching all the photos of lamps out but I vouch they were in the original email.

“Director Dormsjo:

I had the opportunity last night to go out after 10 pm to walk the neighborhood I live in – Mt. Pleasant. I did a cursory survey of streetlights being out in the residential section. I did not survey the alleys and did not walk every block though I believe I was able to get to many streets; walking for about 2 hours.

I found 11 streetlights out, and 1 was out and only came on after I came close to it (walking up the steps of the adjacent house to get the address). Pictures of most of them (one with 2 out) are included.

Key concerns are: (more…)

“Is construction allowed at this late hour? the noise level has been insane.”

By Prince Of Petworth

image1

“Dear PoPville,

I live in NoMa and the for the last two days a construction crew has been demolishing a building at 51 N ST NE between North Capitol and First Street late into the night. They have been starting around 7 and going well past 11/12. Is construction allowed at this late hour? Does anyone know who is doing the construction? I’ve reported it to the city but haven’t heard anything back. Obviously since they are tearing down a building, the noise level has been insane.”

Update from OP:

“My building just sent an email around to residents saying they have a permit allowing them to work until 8am until 9/15.”

Has anyone else heard of permits being issues where demo can occur through the night?

Holy Moly, MPD Chief Cathy Lanier Retiring – Going to Work for the NFL!!

By Prince Of Petworth

chief lanier
Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr.TinDC

Wowsa. From MPD:

“After 26 yrs with MPD, the last 10 as Chief of Police, Cathy Lanier announces her retirement effective next month”

The Washington Post reports:

“D.C. Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier announced Tuesday that she will resign next month to take over as head of security for the National Football League, ending her 26-year career on the force, the last decade as its first permanent female leader.”

From the Mayor’s Office:

“Today at 2:00 p.m., Mayor Muriel Bowser will host a press conference at Metropolitan Police Department Headquarters to announce Police Chief Lanier’s retirement from MPD.”

Update from Chief Lanier:

“Good afternoon,

As you may have heard, today I announced my plan to retire from the Metropolitan Police Department. I came to this difficult decision with mixed emotions, but in the end, I am confident that MPD has the most exceptional police officers and leadership that will continue to move this agency and the city forward.

Looking back, I am perhaps most pleased by the tremendous partnership between police and the community in the District – a partnership that has only grown stronger over the past ten years. I want to thank each of you on this email group for your engagement with police and investment in public safety.

Our work together is what helps our city and our neighborhoods to thrive. Information from community members helped to turn our city around from one known as the murder capital where you could get away with homicide, to one that has reached new lows in the number of homicides, and where police will never give up on trying to solve a homicide, no matter when it happened. Our partnership has helped to engage youth of all ages in safe and positive experiences with police officers. It also makes our streets safer every day. If everyone looks out for not only their neighbor but the person on their sidewalk, in the park down the road, or driving down their street, then the District can be even safer.

I urge you to continue to work with the outstanding men and women of MPD. (more…)

We May Be Approaching 100 Degrees, Alas, “Outdoor Pools will close in waves beginning on Sunday”

By Prince Of Petworth

hot pools close
Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr.TinDC

From DPR:

“The DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) has released the Outdoor Aquatic Facilities Closure Schedule for the 2016 summer season.

Outdoor Pools will close in waves beginning on Sunday, August 14, 2016. Pools will close for the season at 6 pm on their respective Sundays; with the exception of Banneker Pool, Francis Pool, Oxon Run Pool, Rosedale Pool and Upshur Pool which will close on Labor Day, Monday September 5, 2016.

All Spray Parks will close for the season at 7 pm on Labor Day, Monday, September 5, 2016.

East Potomac Outdoor Pool will close for the season at 6 pm on Sunday, October 16, 2016.

Below is the comprehensive closure schedule for the 2016 season. 
Pools are listed by date of closure. Please call DPR’s Aquatics office at (202) 671-1289 should you have additional questions or need further assistance.

OUTDOOR POOLS CLOSURE SCHEDULE (more…)

“It took 13 MINUTES for the MPD dispatcher to get an officer to the scene”

By Prince Of Petworth

911 wait
Photo by PoPville flickr user Claire Uziel

“Dear PoPville,

I was walking home from the Dupont Circle metro just after midnight on Saturday, August 6, towards my apartment in Logan Circle. As I turned onto Massachusetts Ave, I noticed a man who appeared to be homeless walking from behind a MPD vehicle at the police sub-station on 1369 Connecticut Ave, NW (DuPont Circle). I heard a hissing sound but didn’t see any sprinklers at the adjacent building. I immediately realized that the man had punctured the tires of at least one of the MPD vehicles and continued to walk away from the police sub-station. I trailed him as he continued to walk through Dupont while on the phone with a 911 dispatcher. It took 13 MINUTES for the MPD dispatcher to get an officer to the scene in one of DC’s busiest neighborhoods. I literally trailed the suspect for 13 minutes and nearly a quarter mile.”

What do you think guys think a reasonable response time should be for an incident like this?

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